The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-01

Journal reporter last evening: 'sThe volume of
our business fer 1886 10 more than double that
of 1885, Profits arc only nominal and prices
very low. We are doing more of . cash business
than ever before We have been driven to the
move because we found collections so difficult
We started into 1886 under very unfavorabie
prospects, but about last June the tide began to
turn and we have been pushed since We are
now employing nearly one-fourth more men than
we did at the beginning of the year. Our pros
poets for 1887 are at least 50 per cent better
than they were at the beginning of 1885,
You may saw" said ID. Hazard, president OF
the Indianapolis Coffin Works, that our bust
ness has increased 20 per cent the past year, &C
cording to our invoice which we have just nm
ished. Our sales all on credit and collections
have been very good-much better than in 1888.
We are employing about tine same number Of
men, but are giving them steadier work 1t has
been our custom to shut down at this season OF
the year, but this year we are kept running con-
tinually. Our men have received bettor wages
during the past year than ever before. Under
stand that the increase in our business is not
due to bad health among the people, but to the
extension of trade The prospects for 1887 are
much more favorable than at the beginning of
1885,"
John L. Ketcham. secretary of the firm OF
Haugh, Ketcham & Co.'S. architectural iron
works, of Hauehvlle said to a reporter last
evening" 1--WE have not made our invoice yet,
and it is difficult to tell just how our business
has been. But there has been an increase In
volume of at least 10 per cent over last year.
The margins are smaller than ever before. for
| the reason that competition is greater. We are
| employing an increased number OF men, but
| their wages remain about the same The belief
is that prices will rule higher next year, and all
| the indications that it is going to be a
| splendid year with all manufacturers"
| Said Hugh FL. Hanna. vice president OF the
Atlas engine works: 1.-The first six months OF
| the year business was very dull with us, but the
| last six it has been exceptionally good. Taking
| the whole year together. business has been very
| satisfactory. The only complaint we have to make
| is that we are compelled to sell goods such a
| small margin. In collections we have found q
considerable improvement over 1885, We are
| employing about the same number of men we
did in 1885, and they are receiving slightly ad
vanced wages. / think the prospect for the
business of 1887 is very fattering.'
Said member of the firm of Nordyke &
| Marmon yesterday: "Our trade in millinf
machinery has been much larger than during
any previous year. We now sell machinery II
nearly every State in the Union. So great ha!
| been the increase of our trade that we have hat
| to increase our force of working men nearly
| one-third. We have found money matters much
| easier than in 1885, and have been enabled t.
| make our collections with little difficulty. TIM
| addition of the electrc-light mandatory ha
been the occasion for the employment of a grea
many men. and the indications are that we will
have to at least double force the cominl
| year We have never begun years business
with brighter prospects than we now have"